The road toward a state championship begins this weekend for two local boxers.But the road of preparation was paved years — and many pounds — ago for Joseph Robbie Nelson and Angelenia Schneider.Both fighters have trained with The Fire Within — Team Cisneros Boxing, which was formerly Misfit Boxing Club, and both will compete in this weekend's West Michigan Golden Gloves.The preliminaries are Saturday at the National Guard Armory, 1200 44th St. SW, in Wyoming. Winners move on to the semifinals April 5, then finals April 12. Champions advance to the Michigan Golden Gloves April 18-19. Brad Miller also will compete."It is what we have been training hard for every day. This is our dream — and we are hungry," Nelson said. "I am going to try to take state. I am working for this. I want to take state this year, and next year go to nationals."Nelson, 17, of Holland, has been boxing for almost two years and has lost close to 100 pounds in the process. He is 316 pounds and will fight in the heavyweight novice division."I used to be in the 400s. This is hard work," he said. "The more weight I lose, the more healthy I feel and the more confidence I have."Meanwhile, Schneider has been working to lose weight, too. She will fight at 132 pounds Saturday."I was 148 two weeks ago. It has been hard, but I feel really good about it," she said.Schneider, 17, has intensified her workouts and changed her eating habits to make weight."Absolutely no junk food. A lot of yogurt, a lot of salad, a lot of bananas and a lot of water," she said. "I wanted to lose so much weight, so it is the hardest I have trained."Training has led the Junior Olympic champion to places outide the gym."Running has been a big thing," she said. "I have been trying to run a lot. I am going to run a 10K in May."That proves how far she has come, Schneider said."I absolutely hate running, but it pays off," she said. "That is my mindset."Schneider is 2-2 and 1-0 since joining Team Cisneros. She hasn't fought since November because two of her fights have been cancelled, including one at Holland Civic Center in January."You get used to it," she said. "You go and hope for the best. You put in the work, so you know you are ready for the next fight."Nelson has been waiting, too. His fight was called off at the Civic Center."I am trying to get the experience I need to be a better fighter," he said.Nelson said focus is the key."As a teenager it is hard to stay focused because there are so many people that want to bring you down. I just try to keep focused and stay on the dream," he said. "I am working on throwing more punches and cleaner punches. I have been working on cardio and movement — I am ready."